Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior. An undergraduate major in sociology is designed to increase students’ understanding of factors that determine social relationships and social organization. Sociology is useful to students interested in a wide variety of careers ranging from business and industry to government and human services. The department encourages students to combine their academic programs with future career interests through participation in individually designed internships.

Each student majoring in sociology is assigned a faculty advisor to help develop an individual program of study. The student’s academic program reflects specific intellectual interests and contributes to achieving educational and career objectives.

Majors in sociology must complete the five core courses (SOC 110, 242, 340, 343, and 418W). Majors must also complete three courses at the Foundation Level (9 credits) and two courses at the Advanced Level (6 credit hours).

All courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade and may not be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Major

Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Students will demonstrate understanding of the role of sociological theory in sociological inquiry and analysis.

Students will synthesize the learning objectives and content knowledge developed in core and foundation level courses.

Students will develop a "sociological imagination" and an ability to apply a sociological perspective to experiences, tasks, and activities beyond the university setting.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the steps of sociological research and understand the relative advantages of different methodologies.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the nature of social data determines the best statistical procedures, then describe the assumptions necessary for the procedures, how to request them in SPSS, and how to write a good report based upon the SPSS output.